Paying Attention To Seasonal Trends

Let Exceed Help You Prepare For The Dips And Climbs In Leads, Which Are Different For Each Residential Industry

By David Bolthouse, President & CEO

After a seasonally slow Summer (really slow!), the Fall is now off to a good start for our boarding school clients. Leads in the summer basically came to a standstill from early June to early August. It is important to know these seasonal trends, so you aren’t caught with empty beds when the slow times come, or are not prepared for the onslaught of leads at typically busy times.

Here is our experience of the general seasonal trends (year-round boarding schools only)…

January — Very strong for the first 3 weeks, then a lull February — Medium until mid-month then strong March — Medium

April — Medium May — Medium June — Slow

July — Slow to Dead

August — Slow first two weeks, then build back to strong

September — Medium until mid-month then strong October — Strong

November — Strong until mid-month then holiday slump

December — Medium strong until mid-month then holiday slump. Can be strong at year-end.

The goal then is to make sure that your marketing efforts are ramped up when it will produce results, not during the otherwise slow times. Asking us to push up advertising in the dead summer months, for instance, will do little to generate leads. Also keep in mind that world events and instability greatly affect boarding school leads. During these times people will do some tire kicking, but most will not commit.

Due to our work with building organic rankings, most programs with a solid reputation and less than 30 students will not need the added cost of PPC advertising, unless they have a sudden exodus of students. All things being equal, many of our other clients spend between $1500 and $3000 per month for sponsored listings (pay per click ads) in order to gain 2-4 new additional students per month. With PPC you can expect to enroll roughly one new student for each $750 per month you spend, if it is managed well.

Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

""With the help of Exceed Marketing, we are at our capacity of 80 students with a waiting list. We are truly thankful for the professionalism and valuable knowledge that Exceed has brought to our school. The value of our partnership with Exceed Marketing cannot be understated.""

Bob Lee, Executive Director ,
Columbus Girls Academy

""We started using Exceed during a downturn in admissions. We saw an immediate impact and since we began using them we have not had a month go by that our beds were not full. The best investment we have ever made in the area of marketing. I highly recommend them.""

""The websites look amazing and we so appreciate the great work your team is doing to assist the parents in finding us. You are a gift to Teen Challenge. Thanks so much for the ministry you have in the kingdom of God in the technology driven world. You guys are"

Jerry Nance PhD, President ,
Global Teen Challenge

""Exceed has been so gracious through constant support and expert advice in an industry that is highly competitive. I know I can rely on their experienced team to consider my own creative ideas and apply experience and knowledge to bring it all together. Thank you Exceed for being there with"

Jennifer Del Giudice, Director ,
Providence Pass

""Our target goal for enrollment was 120 boys. After Exceed started helping us, we actually hit 120 for the first time. So, we found a way to squeeze in 4 more beds and we also filled those. Due to the increase in parents contacting us, we are able to be"

Scott Smith, Admissions Director ,
Agape Boarding School

""Exceed has proven their expertise through our website design and traffic. With the help of Exceed, over 90% of our student body is from traffic created directly through our website. For many years, we relied heavily on outside sources to refer enrollments into our program. Not only has Exceed allowed"

Jim Jones, Founder ,
Wolf Creek Academy

""My board and I have been amazed at the results. Since 2012, when we first started working with Exceed, we have doubled our annual income, allowing us to significantly increase the number of students we take in. We have also doubled the size of our staff, given much needed raises"

Darren Reynolds, Executive Director ,
Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch

""I can honestly say that we would not still have our doors open if it were not for Exceed. You have helped us refine our website into a tool that families all over the United States can truly inform and educate themselves on regarding the nature of our program. When"

Robert Shyroc, Director of Development ,
Stonegate Rehab Center

""The name EXCEED is perfect for this organization. They have always EXCEEDED my expectations when it comes to our marketing needs. They helped us design a new website and continue to manage it with excellence. Their guidance was invaluable. We are thrilled with the results and feedback we receive from"

Darren Reynolds, Executive Director ,
Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch

""Exceed's work and our resulting calls are astounding. Thank you!""

David Bosley ,
Master's Ranch Christian Academy

""Exceed has truly made a huge difference in making sure families know we exist. Thank you so much.""